Donald (also known as Daniel) Spence Sweeney Band Sergeant d. 18/2/1905 age 68 Cameron Highlanders ‘For nineteen years Bandmaster of the 3rd VBRH’ (Although the gravestone and burial records detail a Daniel Spence Sweeney, the person in question was formally named Donald – the Daniel/Donald interchange being a common Scottish (particularly Highland) practice). Sweeney, widower of Theresa Sweeney, was resident at 16 Nelson Street, Dundee at the time of death. His death certificate details the cause(s) of death as heart failure, bronchitis, and senility.

Additional Information on Donald Spence Sweeney:

Band-Sergeant Sweeney. Contributed by Mr R White, late 79th. Donald Spence Sweeney enlisted into tbe band 79th Highlanders in t848, at Quebec, and served in the regiment for about 27 years, hc accompanied the regiment in 1851 to Scotland, and was stationed in thc following towns :- Stirling, Perth, Dundee, and Edinburgh. In t853, he served with thc rcgiment in England, and was stationed in Bury (Lancashire) … Mr Sweeney, from the public position he held, was widely known in the city. He was an old soldier. When a lad he enlisted, and, being gifted with musical talents of no mean order, he was drafted into the band of his regiment – the Cameron Highlanders. With it when a young man he saw service in India, and was the holder of war and long service and good conduct medals. By attention to his duties he rose to the grade of band-sergeant, in which capacity he was engaged for some time at the depot of the regiment at Stirling. For about 20 years he acted as bandmaster of the 3rd V..B.R.H. and by the officers of the corps, as by the musicians under his direction, he was held in esteem and respect. Mr Sweeney as a musical performer was versatile in the matter of instruments, and in his day he held a high reputation as an executant on the cornet. At the open air concerts, at military displays, and at other functions, he was for many years a familiar figure in Dundee. Three years ago, on account of advancing years, he severed his connection with the regiment, and since then,according to the measure of his strength, he had engaged in his profession of a musician.

Lce.-Sergt. Sweeney, at present serving in the band of the 1st Battalion, is a son of the deceased.

The 79th News, Dublin, March 1906

His son Daniel Spence Sweeney – joined staff of Garden as Hall Attendant, 1 June 1911. Enlisted 9th Royal Scots, 16 September 1914. Rank: Divisional Bandmaster. Service in field in Flanders, one year. Mentioned in despatches. Demobilised, 22 February 1919. Several other Sweeneys served as bandsmen in the military.

Alexander Thompson Lance Corporal d. 29/3/1880 42nd Regiment (Black Watch) Indian Mutiny British Victoria Cross –– ‘on April 15, 1858 during the attack on Fort Ruhya, India, Lance Corporal Thompson volunteered with others in recovering dead and wounded. In the most exposed position under a heavy enemy fire, he carried out the body of a lieutenant from the top of the glacis. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was promoted Sergeant and awarded the Victoria Cross medal’. The medal is in the Black Watch Museum b. 1824